TOKYO 2020: Every weekend more than 100,000 Australians turn up to their local oval to play baseball or softball. Now those players are a step closer to being able to represent their country at the world’s most prestigious sporting event, after the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee recommended it would like to include the two sports at the 2020 Games.

With the Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC has allowed organising committees to make proposals for the inclusion of one or more additional events on the Olympic programme.

Softball/Baseball, alongside surfing, skateboarding, karate and sport climbing, will be presented to the IOC who will make a final decision at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.  

For both Softball and Baseball it’s a sigh of relief after missing out in 2013 for the 2020 and 2024 Games.

Baseball Australia President David Hynes says while the sport isn’t locked in yet, it’s a step in the right direction.

“It’s an exciting thing for the sport to be put forward by Tokyo. We’re not across the line with the IOC still to meet, but we’re excited to be in the mix.”

“It’d be a huge result for the sport to be back in the Olympics. Every Australian aspires to go to the Olympics and for our sport to return to the Games we’d see a huge growth in participation I’m sure."

Baseball was included in the Olympic programme from 1992 while softball was included from 1996, but both were dropped after the Beijing 2008 Games.

For 27-year-old catcher Allan De San Miguel, the feeling is a mixture of relief and excitement.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster ride over the last couple of years. It was disappointing after Beijing (2008 Games) to not be included in the Olympics anymore.

“Tokyo 2020 would probably be the end of my playing career – but it’s definitely given me something to play on for, it’s extremely exciting. It’d definitely be the pinnacle of my career.”

A right-hander known for his defensive moves for Perth Heat in Australia and the Minnesota Twins in the USA, De San Miguel took up the sport when he was six and has dreamt of wearing the green and gold ever since.

“At the moment the highest level you can represent Australia at is the World Baseball Classic which is the best 16 teams in the world facing off every four years. You have to qualify for it with our next qualifiers next year for the 2017 event.

“The recent guys that are a bit younger, they haven’t had the chance to play at that top level yet. It’s going to mean so much to them. It means everything to the Aussie players. Every time you put on an Aussie jersey it’s a dream.”

As for Australia’s medal chances at the Games, Hynes believes anything could happen.

“We’ve won a silver medal before so our medal chances would be pretty good in 2020.

“At the moment we’re 13th in the world, but you never know in a tournament where you can end up, anything can happen on the day.”

Australia’s women have claimed a medal at every Games in softball, with bronze at all bar Athens 2004 where the team managed silver. While the men’s baseball team best result is second behind the mighty Cubans at Athens 2004.

Australian Softball Team Captain Stacey Porter says there’s no greater feeling that knowing there is a chance of representing her country on the world’s biggest stage.

“To get softball back in the Tokyo Olympic Games would give back respect not only to softball but women's sport in general.

“Australia has medalled at all four Olympics it has been a part of and the Australian women’s softball team is one of the most successful teams in Olympic history. It's time to share the success once again.”

Three-time Olympians Nat Titcume and Brooke Wilkins are delighted the next generation is set to have a chance to represent their country in softball.

“I've been a part of the softball culture in Australia and Japan for a long, long time and speaking from my heart - the only thing that has ever united us is the Olympic Movement.

“I can only imagine what effect welcoming Softball back to the Olympic stage will have on International Softball. It is a big stage, a huge event but the magic of it brings us together like a special, little community. If any country deserves to host women's softball at an Olympic Games, it is definitely Japan!" Titcume said.

"I love that softball is getting its chance to be included in the Olympic Games again. For players playing today this decision gives them opportunity to dream, set goals, train hard and experience their sport at its pinnacle.

“The hype and excitement of the competing at an Olympic Games is like nothing else I have ever experienced and I am thrilled that our softball athletes of today will get the opportunity to experience something very special with this decision to include our amazing sport,” Wilkins said.

Annie Kearney
Olympics.com.au